Southern California -- this just in

Second storm moving into Southern California could bring mudflows, more power outages

January 19, 2010 | 8:07
am

Another storm system is sweeping across Southern California today, the second in a series of four storms pummeling the region this week, prompting power outages, mud flows and frustrating commutes.

Rain will appear late this morning and turn into heavy showers with thunder, lightning and gusty winds by this afternoon and evening, dumping between ¾ and 1 ½ inches, according to forecasters. The storm could bring hail and weak, isolated tornadoes inland and off the coast.

"It's a fast mover with gusty winds behind it, so it should be out of the area before midnight," said Stuart Seto, a weather specialist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.

Authorities are urging caution during the afternoon commute, when the brunt of today's storm is predicted. They are also warning people to stay inside during the lightning and thunder.

"If you hear it roar, go indoors," Seto said.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch early this morning through tonight for the Station and Sayre fire burn areas, noting that rainfall rates could reach ½ to ¾ of an inch per hour and trigger mud flows. Monday's rain has left the ground nearly saturated.

A high surf advisory is in effect through Friday and weather forecasters have issued a coastal flood watch starting tonight through late Wednesday, saying very large surf combined with strong gusts of wind is expected to push water into low-lying areas during high tide. The largest waves will appear Wednesday and Thursday, when breakers could reach as high as 25 feet.

A total of 8,850 Southern California Edison customers continue to go without power due to rain-related outages, mostly in Inglewood, Gardena, Hawthorne and the Moorpark area, said company spokeswoman Lois Pitter Bruce.

The strongest of the consecutive storms is expected to hit Wednesday or Thursday, soaking the Los Angeles area with two to eight inches of rain.

Because of the prolonged showers, authorities are warning that flooding could also occur in small, urban streams and drainages along with debris flows and rockslides, especially as the rain increases in intensity Wednesday. The fourth rainstorm is expected to come Friday.

-- Tony Barboza

Photo: Jerry Kolish digs into a pile of mud accumulated in front of his driveway in Tujunga. Kolish complained that some of the debris was left by a skip loader that was clearing the street. Credit: Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times